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Loyalists' weapons move confirmed Loyalists' weapons move confirmed
(about 1 hour later)
Two Northern Ireland loyalist groups, the UVF and Red Hand Commando, have decommissioned weapons, ammunition and explosives, observers have confirmed.Two Northern Ireland loyalist groups, the UVF and Red Hand Commando, have decommissioned weapons, ammunition and explosives, observers have confirmed.
The Independent International Commission on Decommissioning (IICD) said it had witnessed a "major decommissioning event".The Independent International Commission on Decommissioning (IICD) said it had witnessed a "major decommissioning event".
Earlier, both groups said their weapons and explosives were "totally and irreversibly beyond use".Earlier, both groups said their weapons and explosives were "totally and irreversibly beyond use".
No details were released about the number of arms decommissioned. US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton described it as a "courageous step".
Explosive devicesExplosive devices
In a statement, a spokesman for the commission said: "The IICD can confirm it has witnessed a major decommissioning event involving arms, ammunition, explosives and explosive devices belonging to the UVF and Red Hand Commando.In a statement, a spokesman for the commission said: "The IICD can confirm it has witnessed a major decommissioning event involving arms, ammunition, explosives and explosive devices belonging to the UVF and Red Hand Commando.
"The leaderships of both organisations have advised us that the weapons and material put beyond use in our presence include all the arms under their control.""The leaderships of both organisations have advised us that the weapons and material put beyond use in our presence include all the arms under their control."
On Saturday, the UVF said the decommissioning was observed by three independent witnesses - from the UK, Ireland and America.On Saturday, the UVF said the decommissioning was observed by three independent witnesses - from the UK, Ireland and America.
It gives grounds for great confidence and it cements our peace process The Reverend Harold GoodIt gives grounds for great confidence and it cements our peace process The Reverend Harold Good
Later that day, the decommissioning body confirmed the UDA had begun getting rid of its weapons - but had not finished the process yet. Later that day, the decommissioning body confirmed that Northern Ireland's largest loyalist group, the UDA, had begun getting rid of its weapons - but had not finished the process yet.
A spokesperson said: "The IICD has witnessed a decommissioning event involving arms belonging to the UDA and the Ulster Freedom Fighters.A spokesperson said: "The IICD has witnessed a decommissioning event involving arms belonging to the UDA and the Ulster Freedom Fighters.
"This is a significant move and we look forward to completing the process of putting all UDA/UFF arms beyond use at an early opportunity.""This is a significant move and we look forward to completing the process of putting all UDA/UFF arms beyond use at an early opportunity."
The BBC's Mark Simpson said no details have been released about how many loyalist weapons were decommissioned, which method was used or where it happened.The BBC's Mark Simpson said no details have been released about how many loyalist weapons were decommissioned, which method was used or where it happened.
There's speculation that the UDA is keeping some of its arms until the government agrees to invest more money in loyalist areas, our correspondent says. The UDA has denied this.
The commission, headed by retired Canadian general John de Chastelain, was established to oversee the decommissioning of paramilitary weapons, as part of the peace process.The commission, headed by retired Canadian general John de Chastelain, was established to oversee the decommissioning of paramilitary weapons, as part of the peace process.
Earlier on Sunday, the Reverend Harold Good, an independent witness on the IICD, said the steps taken by loyalist paramilitaries to give up their arms was another step towards normality in Northern Ireland.Earlier on Sunday, the Reverend Harold Good, an independent witness on the IICD, said the steps taken by loyalist paramilitaries to give up their arms was another step towards normality in Northern Ireland.
"I think it gives grounds for great confidence and it cements our peace process," he said."I think it gives grounds for great confidence and it cements our peace process," he said.